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Dear Mr. Barzdukas, Mr. Del Valle and the Poly Prep club coordinator,

First of all you all have been doing an amazing job at keeping Poly as normal and organized as possible during these uncertain times. Speaking of the uncertain times of Covid 19, there have been many challenges our country is facing. Thousands of people have lost their jobs and are stuck at home, but there’s another large problem related to Covid: Divorce. The divorce rate in our country is spiraling due to stress and being cooped up in your house with your husband or wife for what seems like forever. Because this is happening, many more children are facing the hardships of having divorced parents this year then during a normal year. Also many children at poly may be going through this at home. You can help! There is a club at the lower school called Banana Splits. It is a club for children who have divorced parents. I think the upper campus should have a “Banana Splits” club, students will have a place to talk and feel better, it will also build self esteem and confidence and it was proven successful at the lower school.

If you don’t know what The Banana Splits club is, it is a club for children who have divorced parents. There is one of these clubs at the lower school, run by Ms. Davies and Ms. Pico. I have also been informed that the  middle school had a Banana Splits club once, but the teacher that ran it left Poly. It would be good to have a club like this at the upper campus because these children would have a place to talk with other students and teachers who do and used to share the same experience as them. Also they would most likely find ways to feel better.

Another way that having a Banana Splits Club at the middle and upper school  would give benefits is that this would be a good club to add to Poly is that for a fact doing things like talking and being group therapy (Banana Splits isn't exactly group therapy but it's close,) builds self esteem and self confidence. Children feel comfortable speaking and they build more confidence for public speaking but also just more confidence in themselves.

My last reason is that this club worked very well at the lower school. We gathered usually during lunchtime every other wednesday you weren't forced to go so some kids would not go one week but go to the next meeting. We would all talk and usually do some sort of activity. I have talked to some of the students who were in Banana Splits and they also want a Banana Splits at the upper school. Due to covid though we had to stop doing Banana Splits and I know for me personally I would really like to have it back.

Based on all the reasons I have given you, I hope you can find it in your hearts to create a Banana Splits club at the middle and upper school  for children who struggle with the burden of having divorced parents.

Sincerely Lillian Ziff , a fourth grade student

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Dear Mom,

You know how you get stressed sometimes? I have a perfect way to fix that. Studies have shown that dogs can reduce stress. Especially during covid, people have been even more stressed. I know I’ve talked to you about this before but I have a few reasons that getting a dog is a good choice for our family.  It would be a good way to learn responsibility, get us outside more, and help with emotional support.

First of all, it will be a good and fun way to help me and Jasper learn some more responsibility. We can walk it, bathe it, and just overall take care of it. That could help you out, too. If we took care of the dog instead of adding more responsibilities to all the things you do, you would have time to do something else and focus easily. It would also get me and Jasper to spend some more time together; we could get ice-cream for all of us while walking it! Furthermore, it would help us learn time management with the dog’s schedule for walking, eating, and going to the bathroom.

Another reason getting a dog is a good choice is that it would give us something to do when we’re bored and help us get outside more. I know some days you don’t get to go out at all when you’re too busy with work and meetings. Then, you would have a good reason to get some fresh air and play with the dog, too; calming you down if you’re tense about anything. Additionally, when me or Jasper are bored, I know that we can sort of pester you about it sometimes, so that will reduce the times we bother you.

Finally, a dog or pet is like a brother or sister. We’ll love it and the dog would love us, too. If we are feeling sad, mad, or annoyed, a pet can calm us down and lift our spirits. Also, I know Jasper isn’t the biggest fan of dogs, but we can slowly help him get used to them, or if he’s worried about it making a mess or ruining his stuff, we can get a dog that’s a little bit older and already trained. Another option is to figure out what kinds of dogs he likes and do research to see what breeds are naturally friendly.

To summarize, having a dog would help us learn responsibility, get us outside more, and let us feel a different kind of love. I hope this letter finds you well and that you will consider getting a dog after reading it.

Sincerely,

Fiona

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Molly Michael - Get poly prep a compost tumbler

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Molly Michael - Get poly prep a compost tumbler

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Dear Mr. Barzdukas and Dr. Yasharian,

Have you ever noticed that there is an abundance of food waste in the trash cans after lunch? Did you know that the average student produces 36.5 pounds of food waste per school year? We could fix that with compost bins, but if you have compost bins you need a compost tumbler otherwise the food waste can’t be turned into actual compost. Some of the benefits include having teachable moments, becoming a more eco friendly school, and saving money.

The first of many opportunities that would arise from buying a compost tumbler is a chance for a teachable moment or moments. The students could learn about compost and decomposing from the tumbler and  you could have the older students track the food waste to learn some more responsibility. Compost is an important topic to learn about because it will help children help the world with climate change, pollution and an inevitable overflow of trash.

Another thing that’s great about compost bins and tumblers is that they’re eco friendly; all the food waste at this school goes to landfills where it can’t be put to use. If we get a compost tumbler, we could use the compost it produces as fertilizer for plants or as food for worms. If you need an idea about where we put it, how about we place it near the greenhouse where it wouldn’t look so strange and where it could be put to use the most.

Finally, a compost tumbler would actually save the school money! You wouldn't have to buy fertilizer, which is quite expensive. I hope that after reading this that you are convinced PolyPrep would benefit from having compost bins and tumblers.

Sincerely,

Your student Molly Michael Lamb

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Dear owners of big companies

I think front line workers should get a raise because they are risking their lives, they are working more hours and their salary is low.

You probably know that the front line workers are risking their lives just to provide and save ours. But have you ever thought about being in their shoes. Yeah just imagine how crazy it would be.  A lot of the COVID-19 deaths are factory workers and nurses. There is a scary virus and you are putting them at risk. You are also making them work more hours.

Since the front line workers have more hours to work,the factories and hospitals are a COVID-19 environment. They also spend so much time helping patients. It is also super hard to see their family and friends. It is scary and I know someone who can see their mom very rarely due to how much she works and the COVID-19 environment. This shows how working more hours and in a less safe environment shows that they should get a raise. Do you understand now? If not here is more.

The last reason that you should give the front line workers a raise is that  doctors salaries are going down over the years. For example my late grandpa said if you want money don’t be a doctor because it goes down every year. Now I want you to imagine making very little a day and paying your bills and still having to risk your life every day. Some people have to support their families and the max for a doctor in NYC is 467,250 is not enough to do that. Doctors risk their lives everyday and don't get paid that much but lawyers can  make millions. I hope you take this into consideration because as you can tell doctors and factory workers does not matter they deserve more money.😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

Sincerely

Leo Cohen

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Dear Dr. Yasharian,

Have you noticed most students at Poly do not finish their school lunch everyday? In my pod, 7 out of 9 students do not finish their school lunch daily, me included. One day a few weeks ago, we had this tortellini with pesto sauce, but it looked nothing like it. The pasta was clumped together and green sauce smeared all over the pasta. Honestly it was not very appetizing for young children like us. If the school lunch is more delicious, we will be more willing to finish it rather than throwing it away.

Since most of the students at Poly do not finish their school lunch everyday, so much of the food goes to waste and it is not good for the environment at all. There are over 250 kids at the lower school. Imagine most of us throw away half of our lunch and each lunch weighs about 1 pound. That means there are about 125 pounds of food being thrown away everyday! Also that equals to 625 pounds of food wasted a week!!! With better lunch options the kids at school will finish their lunch and not as much food will go to waste.

Lastly, we will not have enough energy and will not be able to enjoy school as much if we do not have enough food. Take me as an example, If I don't have enough food for lunch, I will have a difficult time to focus in class and have fun with my friends. We have math in the afternoon, it is one of my favorite subjects and I would really like to be able to focus during math.

We do not need a lot of fancy lunch options, just healthy and delicious food. Let me give you an example, one of my friends in Singapore has only three options for lunch everyday but they are very very delicious. They have a ramen bar, a pizza station and a salad bar. In my opinion I think we should have a lunch program similar to that, so the students at Poly can enjoy and finish their lunches so we will not be wasting so much food everyday.

I hope you will consider my suggestion and start offering better and more delicious lunch options. Not only it is good for the environment, our parents will be extremely grateful since we are eating well and they don’t have to prepare homemade lunch.

Sincerely,

Baxton Ling

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Dear Mr. Barzdukas,

The stakes of having our school shut down is very high.  You and the faculty have been trying your best for every student at Poly Prep to have a good learning experience. However, COVID is a big threat to not just us, but to the society and their money.  There have been many New Yorkers with money loss , getting laid off, and more financial problems. I believe that a financial literacy class for the high school students would be ideal. They would learn about money, how to deal with it, and to make a good living in general.

Teachers would teach students how to invest in companies and make good choices in living. For example, they would tell you not to invest in a company that isn’t known for making money and instead show you successful companies like Apple or Amazon. This method can be very helpful in getting more money and should be one of the topics in this class.

When you’re younger, you adapt from your old ways faster. For example, it’s easier to learn a new language as a child than as an adult. High school students are mature enough to take this information in, but at the same time not a forty year old learning about this for the first time. Also, you have the support of the community and your parents. They can help you along the way. When you get older, move to your apartment, and are on your own, you have no guarantee.

The final and probably most important thing is that it helps you become successful in life. After high school, you go to college and already know good ways to spend and save your money. Then you would graduate, maybe make a family, or start a professional career. You can relax and enjoy not worrying about your financial situation and problems as much as before.

In conclusion, a financial literacy class would help students in economics, investing, and how to deal with money. I hope with the reasons I gave you, you would consider my proposal. If this idea even goes well, you could even think about extending this class to after COVID is dealt with.

- Camilla Lyubarov, a fourth grade student

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Dear Aunt Becca, Uncle Kevin, (and Tessa)

You two have been super cautious when it has come to Covid this year and I know that what I'm about to ask you sounds way too risky but I want you to consider letting me and my family hold Tessa. You are probably saying no but it will work out because we can do it in a safe way, Tessa will get to see people not on FaceTime for once, and it will help my family and I bond with Tessa.

We can do this in a safe way! We can take PCR tests and quarantine until we get the results and we can wear masks and sanitize before touching Tessa. I've also done some research and several websites say that "There are a few reports of newborns with severe COVID-19 illness." And I know you are worried about yourself too but the answer is simple: we can just social distance from you two.

Also Tessa needs to see people not just on FaceTime and not just people her family. Tessa's growing up and not going to know us! When she's older b she will look back and find no memories of us and her. That would not be good for when I try and bond with her.

The last reason that we should be able to see and hold Tessa is that hopefully Me and Liam will be role models for Tessa in the future and if we are going to be role models for her that will be made easier if we can bond with her. According to Google one of the best ways to bond with someone is to have known them for a long time. That's why I'm so close with you Becca. Also When Tessa gets older you're going to want someone to help with her. So if I'm going to be helping with Tessa in several years it will be best if I know her pretty well and we each have old memories of each other.

In conclusion me and my family should be able to hold Tessa and  and the reasons that it will benefit all of us is that: by letting Tessa get to know us not just on FaceTime, we can do it in a safe way, and it will make me and Liam better role models for Tessa.

Love

Caiden